HISTORY

Originally established in late 1918, The Shepparton RSL “Club”
was formed on the 20th September 1963.

History of the Club

Originally established in late 1918, early 1919 as the Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch the first meeting was held along side the old post office in the old court house, which today forms part of the Maude
Street Mall.

Our current site was purchased from a Mr. Perry Werner at a very reasonable price. Funding for the building came from the sale of the old Church of England Parish Hall, owned in conjunction with the Ex-Servicemen’s Legion. Other funding was from T & G Insurance only after taking life Assurance on ten of the younger members. Other building funds were raised by running the local carnival with lots of volunteer support by members and their families over many years.

The Shepparton RSL “Club” was formed on the 20th September 1963, owing to the archaic Liquor Licencing laws administered by the late Judge Fraser, at the time a Liquor Licence could not be granted to a “Sub-Branch”. We were in a unique position for the first few months, having a new Club Room and only being able to serve soft drink.

The first Liquor Licence was granted in 1967 under the management of Mr. Frank Hazel and a staff of three with volunteer assistance from members.

Over the years there have been several additions and extensions. The first was the addition of a Kitchen and extra club room space and the Billiard room was added in 1976.

Years Operating

Years as Shepp RSL

First Gaming Lounge Opened

First Kitchen

The club prospered in those years and purchased 4 properties in Welsford Street along with a property in Knight Street.

During 1978, a contract was signed with Henselite for installation of a standard size bowling green on the site of three houses that were demolished on Welsford Street. The bowling green was officially opened on 23rd June 1979 by the then state President Mr. Colin Keon Cohen, OBE.

The organisation continued during the eighties but, balancing the books became more difficult as our membership aged. When the club obtained a permit to operate poker machines there was a dramatic turnaround in the Club’s fortunes. Our first Gaming lounge consisted of 30 machines and was opened on the 1st April 1993 by the State Country Vice President Mr. Max O’Halloran. Since then there has been further additions to our Gaming Machine numbers to 80 which is the number we currently operate.

In 2001 the shops to our north were demolished to create what we currently have as a Sub Branch today, at that stage there had been no renovation to the Members bar area for over 30 years except for equipment and even this was over 10 years ago.

In 2008 a master plan was drawn up to redevelop the older south side of the building. This was to be completed over 9 stages using accumulated funds without increasing borrowings. Work commenced in 2009 on demolishing the old members bar and back of house area. The current members bar was opened in late December 2009 and 2010 saw the relocation of the administration department and reception to it’s current location. New carpets were layed in the old members bar and central passage way in 2011. The exterior of the building was repainted during 2011, with internal painting being an ongoing project. The new external signage was introduced in 2013, the same year that the gaming room and members areas were swapped over creating a larger gaming area, this also allowed the members for the first time in many years access to the Wyndham street side of the building. This area is much brighter because of the large expanse of glass windows across the front.

The Shepparton RSL is the region’s best venue for bringing people together for work and play. Experience the difference at the Shepparton RSL.